While many fans breathed a collective sigh of relief following the Vancouver Canucks' 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings Wednesday night, Krisann Hamazaki was already buckling down for the next game.

"I don't get excited until it's time to get excited," said the 22-year-old fan who watched the do-or-die game from the Shark Club downtown.

Local hockey blogger and fan Elizabeth Moffat agreed.

"In a few days, we have to do it all over again," she said of the team's effort to stay alive in this year's playoffs. Her advice to fans - and the Canucks - is simple: take it one game at a time, starting with Sunday's Game 5 which is also a possible elimination for the team.

"It's cliche but that's all you can really do," she said, adding the win is "a bit of a boost."

After last year's wild run for the cup - and downtown mayhem that followed - many had hoped the Canucks would make a repeat appearance at the Stanley Cup final.

Fans, however, have remained cautious during this year's playoffs, with many reluctant to dust off their jerseys and car flags. Business owners also noted energy was down after the city announced last month they would not be hosting public viewings in the downtown core.

"There's lots of people wearing the jersey and you can see them out there but you can tell there's no excitement," said Simon Coutts, fan and owner of Simon's Bike Shop on Robson Street where much of last year's celebrations took place.

But Vince Critchley, a season ticket holder since 1980, had only a few words.

"Keep the faith," he said. "Eventually, it'll come."